To understand open-mindedness we need to look at it's opposite, closed-mindedness, close-mindedness comes from an unwillingness to over-look that which we are fearful of. We refuse to examine new ways of thinking because they may not fit with accepted moral or social norms, we don't
want to be seen as straying from the flock. Old ideas and superstitions about God and the nature of creation are rigidly held onto even though they are obviously false to anyone who personally examines them. The idea that one can expect salvation simply by believing certain things held to be true by religious groups is a perfect example of the irresponsibility of organized religion and its followers.
On the other hand, open-mindedness leads us to question everything, how does salvation really work, is it just simply a matter of bowing ones head and uttering a certain promise to some imaginary deity, or is there something else involved.
The open-minded leave not their lives or their minds, in the hands of others, they take the initiative in everything and they are willing to stand alone, outside the flock if that is what it will take to reach Truth.
I quote here from A Course in Miracles - Manual for Teachers, on the subject of open-mindedness:
"How do the open-minded forgive? They have let go all things that would prevent forgiveness. They have in truth abandoned the world, and let it be restored to them in newness and in joy so glorious they could never have conceived of such a change. Nothing is now as it was formerly. Nothing but sparkles now which seemed so dull and lifeless before. And above all are all things welcoming, for threat is gone. No clouds remain to hide the face of Christ. Now is the goal achieved. Forgiveness is the final goal of the curriculum. It paves the way for what goes far beyond all learning. The curriculum makes no effort to exceed its legitimate goal. Forgiveness is its single aim, at which all learning ultimately converges. It is indeed enough."
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Comments: 42
going out of one's mind is perhaps pushing the envelope a little too much!
We miss out on a lot that way.
You are absolutely right though and it never hurts to repeat the truth, thanks man!
Thank you for sharing this article with us.
BTW, very cool graphic.
~FC
I for one work very hard at being open-minded and forgiving.
I too value your friendship and your wisdom.
However forgiveness IS the vital component in Open-Mindedness so it is worth while learning to over-come our blocks to it...
Thanks for your honesty, it is obvious that you have looked critically at yourself and that is a great place to begin the necessary change of mind that makes forgiveness possible.
good article Robin
It's like a whittling away isn't it, we fail then we succeed then we fail again but everyone of our successes adds up and we become better people because of them..
I no longer beat myself up when I can't forgive someone, I just over-look it and carry on, forgiving myself for blowing it. It works too, I have noticed a great deal of softening in me, I'm more tolerant and more willing to listen because I'm not punishing myself for my failures ...
Thanks for commenting Patti
Thank you Elsie!
Thank you - I love your comments!
I had stopped going there but later on my Sister, Mother and I got together once a week to do the course. It was really great to share that with someone that close...whole different ballgame when you study with family verses strangers. It did bring us closer together...
Now I live to far away to study with them... So I do need to get back to the book...
Yes I know I need to get into the group to start me going ....I just have to get a push. lol
Thanks for sharing this wonderful article An eye opener too
God Bless
There IS plenty of time after all...
Thanks for your comments, I really appreciated hearing your experience with the Course...
"Philosophically, you can believe anything, so long as you do not claim it to be true.
Morally, you can practice anything, so long as you do no claim that it is a "better" way.
Religiously, you can hold to anything, so long as you do not bring Jesus Christ into it."
-Ravi Zacharias on Postmodernism
I practice forgiveness as my moral imperative and I claim it is a "better" way.
Also I religiously (as in my personal practice) bring Jesus into it, because forgiveness is his central teaching.
I do not know about "some people" Lee, I only know about what I am doing and as I use my personal practice indiscriminately, I see no conflict anywhere.
Why wait for heaven?
Thanks for your quote and your comment Lee!
Let me start with this ~ by the time we are finished, you may take this down {who really knows} ~ L o L . . .
"Old ideas and superstitions about God and the nature of creation are rigidly held onto even though they are obviously false to anyone who personally examines them. The idea that one can expect salvation simply by believing certain things held to be true by religious groups is a perfect example of the irresponsibility of organized religion and its followers." ~ Robin
I am going to be OPEN-MINDED, and allow you to explain what you mean by the above before I speak candidly.
These are two of the old, false ideas that come immediately to mind.
This ticket to heaven through the acceptance of a savor idea, is said to be possible without any mind training or mental discipline, it is said to be an absolute, and can even work moments before physical death. Religions and their followers preach this falsity to packed churches every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Alternatevely, those people who seek God in a personal, intelligent and open-minded way, through their own efforts reorienting their thinking, soon learn that not only is this idea merely religious propaganda but that there is no death and no reason at all to wait for heaven.
Heaven isn't a place and time nor is it necessary for someone to use an intermediary such as Jesus to have the experience of heaven NOW. All that is required is to learn how to bring the mind into the heavenly vibration which is the natural inheritance of all Gods children.
There is no need for clergy or savors or priests or followers or religious propaganda, in fact these things tend to be more counter-productive than anything else.
Each of us is full of God already, for He created us and we cannot leave our Source...
Forgiveness is indeed a beautiful experience for the forgiver. It lifts the weight and darkness and brings peace. Well written, Robin.
You are an intelligent and capable writer, and I enjoy reading your views.
Each of us goes through all sorts of life situations that ultimately lead us to the particular systems of belief we adopt however in my mind, our belief systems are never as important as our natural kinship as Gods precious children.
Thank you for you comment...
The way I read it we are saying the same thing but with slightly different added twists like your "straying from the flock."
With Thought~Bytes I often say the same thing several different ways. It helps people understand or understand more deeply. Then, if you look at the comment thread you can see how many different ways people choose to integrate the thought even though the essence of what they understand is the same.
Parables are the same type of device. An enlightened master just knows but that doesn't help the listener, so he tells a story to facilitate the understanding. Knowing only occurs when you make the connection yourself.
IMHO.
OK, IMO (not so humble anymore) :)
Although I do not embrace Christ, (or any other organized religion)
I prefer to stand alone, responsible for my own choices and actions.
And I agree with your view on close mindedness, though I call it tunnel vision.
I believe "Fear is like a little death" and to walk past it, for me means stepping through it into my future.
I have seen your icon several times in the past few days, and decided to check out your writing.
I am glad I did.
You spoke of free will, this is an interesting idea, to me it is not so much that we are free to chose to return to God because I don't think we are. All that free will means is that we are free to chose the time in which we will willingly turn ourselves back over to Him.
Thanks for commenting...
I have noticed that the person I am writing to most often is myself, I write something down and it integrates and becomes a part of my newest thinking. I was my own worst enemy for many years and slowly I have become my own best teacher...
Thanks, as always John your comments make me think...
I wrote something recently on vertical thought entitled What is it YOU really Think? it talks a little about the mechanics of a singular self reliant on the natural stillness available to us at any time to sort our the true from the false.
God wouldn't be much of a god had He neglected to in-build a system whereby we could sort out the truly meaningful from the meaningless and thus rediscover the peace we inherited in our creation...
Thanks for you directness it is ALWAYS appreciated in this camp!
Robin ~ I am still on a DREAM FOCUS you see. So from that place, I am going to be OPEN-MINDED to this Article.
Let me start with this ~ by the time we are finished, you may take this down {who really knows} ~ L o L . . .
"Old ideas and superstitions about God and the nature of creation are rigidly held onto even though they are obviously false to anyone who personally examines them. The idea that one can expect salvation simply by believing certain things held to be true by religious groups is a perfect example of the irresponsibility of organized religion and its followers." ~ Robin
I am going to be OPEN-MINDED, and allow you to explain what you mean by the above before I speak candidly. ~ René
_____________________________
OK René let us look at the very prevalent, dualisc idea that, to accept the (biblical) Jesus Christ as ones personal savor will somehow magically gets one a ticket into heaven, after one dies first of course.
These are two of the old, false ideas that come immediately to mind.
This ticket to heaven through the acceptance of a savor idea, is said to be possible without any mind training or mental discipline, it is said to be an absolute, and can even work moments before physical death. Religions and their followers preach this falsity to packed churches every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Alternatevely, those people who seek God in a personal, intelligent and open-minded way, through their own efforts reorienting their thinking, soon learn that not only is this idea merely religious propaganda but that there is no death and no reason at all to wait for heaven.
Heaven isn't a place and time nor is it necessary for someone to use an intermediary such as Jesus to have the experience of heaven NOW. All that is required is to learn how to bring the mind into the heavenly vibration which is the natural inheritance of all Gods children.
There is no need for clergy or savors or priests or followers or religious propaganda, in fact these things tend to be more counter-productive than anything else.
Each of us is full of God already, for He created us and we cannot leave our Source...
Robin
_______________________
Robin ~ I'm wondering how you have gotten such a misconstrued concept of Christianity.
Have you studied Judiasm?
Have you studied Gnosticism?
Have you had a divine revelation without using your brain, or mind, or intelligence?
Have you seen Heaven right here on earth?
What makes you think that Christians believe that they must wait for anything?
There is a deeper place in Christianity Robin, but you must enter the Kingdom like a child.
I understand that there are branches of Christianity that understand deeper concepts, I suppose I am generalizing.
I wouldn't say that I have studies Judaism or Gnosticism though I have inquired over time into both. I do glimpse heaven every day that I do not make judgments about anything and my beliefs about Christians are not static because the so-called Christian religion is so vastly different everywhere.
I simply know that there is no need for a religious component in a spiritual life, that it is a construct like time, that can easily be done away with.
one knows if they are living their life right. I never have believed in the termoil that organized religion puts people through.
For your sake for open-minded kin to reappear as 'Avatars' kind friend ROBIN
WITHOUT HOOD BUT OF enthusing skill !!!
Thank you for sharing